I was reading Heidi's post on Breaking the "Girl" Rule this morning. I think she's right in that many women (particularly those of us above a certain age) were brought up to be nice. For some of us it's easy, for others it's not, but there's a high value placed on getting along and being supportive of others that seems to be typical of a lot of women I know. It isn't necessarily a "women's thing"--it's also common courtesy, as covered in etiquette books dating back until, well, as long as there have been etiquette books--but society is less forgiving of women who aren't "nice," so it's understandable that women may have had it reinforced more than men.
Me, I grew up in the 60s and 70s. By the time I was a teenager I had recognized a real dichotomy in which behaviors were valued or expected. On the one hand, being kind and polite and treating others well was important, had always been important, and I knew that I was a lot happier when people were kind and polite to me. On the other, this was also the time when folks started to put a premium on honesty--telling others how they really felt about things was also considered a virtue. That, too, seemed fairly self-evident. Obviously, these two ideals often clashed. The nice people felt that the truth-tellers were being unnecessarily tactless and cruel, and the truth-tellers felt that the nice people were being dishonest and sneaky. Sure, there's a happy medium, but not everyone finds it in the same place.
Combine that with the last fifteen or twenty years of bare-it-all talk shows and reality television, and it's no wonder that there are people out there with no conception of social boundaries, not to mention appropriate behavior.
So...how is this comic-related?
Well, comic fans are a fringe group. I tend to be a fringe-y person, so I'm comfortable being a comic fan. I figured out long ago that hanging out with the non-fringe kids meant doing a lot of things that interested me not at all, so I didn't do it--they were nice enough, but we didn't have enough in common to sustain a real friendship. I never kept my love of comics a secret. I read them in study hall. On a trip, I insisted on going to a real comic store, dragging my somewhat bemused companions with me. And I can honestly say that no one ever said anything negative to me about it. Maybe teenagers, even mainstream teenagers, tend to be more accepting of fringe elements. Maybe I just went to high school with a bunch of pretty nice kids. I don't know.
And as an adult, I haven't had the sort of experiences with clueless rude people that Heidi is talking about. I hope I never do. And I hope that, if I do, I'll be able to overcome the shock, pull myself together, and call them on their rudeness. Probably something like "Gosh, that's kind of rude." Because I'm witty that way. :)
And because, damn it, comic fans are no more childish than football fans. And comic books are no more wasteful than People magazine.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
No surprises there
Well, I watched the Colbert Report tonight, the one with Joe Quesada on. Some interesting PR choices. Also, apparently Marvel doesn't consider telling the contents of Cap 34 to be spoilage. (Not that I mind, just saying. :))
Monday, January 28, 2008
New Cap news thing [Spoilers? Why not?]
Newsarama has a story up about the new Captain America coming out this week (there's spoilers if you follow the links there).
You know, as fond as I am of this title and as closely as I follow it, it really didn't occur to me that there would be anything all that newsworthy about there being a new Cap. I suppose I'm glad that I get my comics by mail, so I should (eventually--too late for this month's box) be sure to get my copy.
Although I'm not sure that comics in the news always means a run on the comic shops by non-comic readers. It did with the death of Cap, I know. Did it happen with the Spider-marriage thing? I don't recall seeing the same sort of complaints with regard to that, but then it wasn't a news story I would have paid particular attention to.
I mean...I can see why non-comic readers care when an iconic character (like Cap or Superman) dies. And not only because they may not realize that no one ever really dies in comics. (Wish I lived in a world like that.) They sort of know who it is, if only because they once owned Underoos with his picture on them. And Spider-Man is a great big movie franchise that features Mary Jane as a major character, so I can see the interest there.
But Cap, fond as I am of him, hasn't really had much of a media presence outside of comics. He has had, for years, a symbolic significance that has had little to do with the character itself. People know who he is in the sense that they recognize the costume and assume there's something vaguely patriotic about him, but I don't think they know much about his backstory, not the way they do with Superman or Batman or Spider-Man. So if there's a new Cap who happens to be a character from the original's past? Does the average non-comic fan even know Cap had a sidekick? It just doesn't strike me that this would be of nearly as much interest as the earlier Cap story. But I guess we will see.
You know, as fond as I am of this title and as closely as I follow it, it really didn't occur to me that there would be anything all that newsworthy about there being a new Cap. I suppose I'm glad that I get my comics by mail, so I should (eventually--too late for this month's box) be sure to get my copy.
Although I'm not sure that comics in the news always means a run on the comic shops by non-comic readers. It did with the death of Cap, I know. Did it happen with the Spider-marriage thing? I don't recall seeing the same sort of complaints with regard to that, but then it wasn't a news story I would have paid particular attention to.
I mean...I can see why non-comic readers care when an iconic character (like Cap or Superman) dies. And not only because they may not realize that no one ever really dies in comics. (Wish I lived in a world like that.) They sort of know who it is, if only because they once owned Underoos with his picture on them. And Spider-Man is a great big movie franchise that features Mary Jane as a major character, so I can see the interest there.
But Cap, fond as I am of him, hasn't really had much of a media presence outside of comics. He has had, for years, a symbolic significance that has had little to do with the character itself. People know who he is in the sense that they recognize the costume and assume there's something vaguely patriotic about him, but I don't think they know much about his backstory, not the way they do with Superman or Batman or Spider-Man. So if there's a new Cap who happens to be a character from the original's past? Does the average non-comic fan even know Cap had a sidekick? It just doesn't strike me that this would be of nearly as much interest as the earlier Cap story. But I guess we will see.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Ex-sidekick fashion gaffes
Remember when I wrote about similarities between the characters Jason Todd and Winter Soldier? Well, I thought of another one.
Each, it seems, will get to wear the worst costume available at his respective comic company.
First, there's the apparent likelihood that Winter Soldier will get to be the new Captain America, for a while at least. He therefore gets to change out of his really very nice Winter Soldier outfit and wear this adaptation of Cap's original duds. It's...very shiny.
And now, according to what I see on the internets, Jason Todd gets out of his somewhat pedestrian but serviceable street clothes and into this. Holy crap. It might be tolerable without the ginormous cape and cowl, I don't know, but as it is? Um, no.
Each, it seems, will get to wear the worst costume available at his respective comic company.
First, there's the apparent likelihood that Winter Soldier will get to be the new Captain America, for a while at least. He therefore gets to change out of his really very nice Winter Soldier outfit and wear this adaptation of Cap's original duds. It's...very shiny.
And now, according to what I see on the internets, Jason Todd gets out of his somewhat pedestrian but serviceable street clothes and into this. Holy crap. It might be tolerable without the ginormous cape and cowl, I don't know, but as it is? Um, no.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Demographics
Occasional Superheroine has a post up on The Demographics of the Mainstream Comic Book Reader, where she mentions that 90% of comic book readers are male.
I'd be curious to know how this compares to years past--I read comics as a kid (and beyond), my mom read comics as a kid and has never had a thing to say against my teenage (and adult) hobby. Granted that I'm not exactly the average woman (nor is my mom, come to think of it) but I don't think we're that unusual. My daughters read them--they probably wouldn't if I didn't buy them for them, but that's a function of the cost rather than of lack of interest.
However, unlike OC, I didn't find the figures all that surprising--it's what I've heard elsewhere--which has nothing to do with whether it's accurate or not, just that clearly I heard that somewhere before.
And I'll say now what I said the last time I heard the "women are only 10% of the mainstream comic readership" thing.
Which is that while 10% is obviously less than 90%, it's not an insignificant figure. A business that loses 10% of its customer base is going to feel it. Particularly in a relatively small industry like comics.*
Now, I'm pretty happy with my comics as they are. I like the stories, I like the art, I have little problem with how women are presented most of the time. (Please keep in mind that I grew up on Stan Lee's women. Stan is awesome but oh, that Silver Age Sue Richards...) I like Frank Cho--his women may have their cheesecake aspect (and I may giggle at some of the poses), but they're also solid, muscular women who look like they could kick some ass. So I may not be the one to ask about what's offensive to women.
In any case, in our house, the comic book readership is 75% female. :)
* I suppose the question is whether the things that would please the average female reader are also things that would drive away the average male reader. I don't think that's true. I don't think that the entire 90% male comic fan base would leave in a huff if the necklines went up--some might, but most comic fans aren't in it for the breasts. There are better places to go if what you want is breasts.
I'd be curious to know how this compares to years past--I read comics as a kid (and beyond), my mom read comics as a kid and has never had a thing to say against my teenage (and adult) hobby. Granted that I'm not exactly the average woman (nor is my mom, come to think of it) but I don't think we're that unusual. My daughters read them--they probably wouldn't if I didn't buy them for them, but that's a function of the cost rather than of lack of interest.
However, unlike OC, I didn't find the figures all that surprising--it's what I've heard elsewhere--which has nothing to do with whether it's accurate or not, just that clearly I heard that somewhere before.
And I'll say now what I said the last time I heard the "women are only 10% of the mainstream comic readership" thing.
Which is that while 10% is obviously less than 90%, it's not an insignificant figure. A business that loses 10% of its customer base is going to feel it. Particularly in a relatively small industry like comics.*
Now, I'm pretty happy with my comics as they are. I like the stories, I like the art, I have little problem with how women are presented most of the time. (Please keep in mind that I grew up on Stan Lee's women. Stan is awesome but oh, that Silver Age Sue Richards...) I like Frank Cho--his women may have their cheesecake aspect (and I may giggle at some of the poses), but they're also solid, muscular women who look like they could kick some ass. So I may not be the one to ask about what's offensive to women.
In any case, in our house, the comic book readership is 75% female. :)
* I suppose the question is whether the things that would please the average female reader are also things that would drive away the average male reader. I don't think that's true. I don't think that the entire 90% male comic fan base would leave in a huff if the necklines went up--some might, but most comic fans aren't in it for the breasts. There are better places to go if what you want is breasts.
Friday, January 25, 2008
What I Want: The April DC Solicitations
COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS #4-1
The Great Disaster has occurred, and all hell breaks loose as all the storylines in COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS come to a climax, threatening Darkseid and Jimmy Olsen and Mary Marvel and the future of their Earth!
Oh yeah, like I'm going to drop this now! Unlike a lot of folks, I've been enjoying this series as a whole.
TITANS #1
A new team of Titans is born...Someone or something is continuing its attack on anyone who's ever been a Titan, including Nightwing, Starfire, Donna Troy, Beast Boy and Raven. You won't want to miss this new startling chapter in Titans history that may forge a new team from the ashes of old, dead friends.
I did enjoy the old New Teen Titans book, years and years ago, so I am going to start getting this one. Whether I keep on getting it, I don't know; I'm picking it up for reasons of nostalgia but that wouldn't be enough to keep me.
BIRDS OF PREY #117
Misfit and Manhunter are captured by the man responsible for the bizarre magical technology that has been threatening the Birds and all of Metropolis...leading Oracle to decide to relocate the team to try to take this new nemesis down for good.
No particular comment here, but I've seen no reason to drop this title yet.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #23
Some of the best and brightest of the Corps — including Kyle Rayner, Soranik Natu, Ion and Guy Gardner — are sent on an urgent mission to locate and destroy missing Sinestro Corps Rings that remain from the Sinestro Corps War. But Mongul has a different idea on what to do with the Rings…
Apparently featuring Soranic Natu, and therefore probably good. :)
SUPER FRIENDS #2
It’s big trouble in Metropolis when DINOSAURS go on a rampage! Will the Super Friends round up the mighty lizards before they make too much of a mess? Plus, activities, fact files and the next part of your Super Friends membership kit!
It looks cute, but of course I won't know whether we'll be keeping it until the eight-year-old sees it. She might enjoy the whole Super Friend angle, she might not, we'll see.
The Great Disaster has occurred, and all hell breaks loose as all the storylines in COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS come to a climax, threatening Darkseid and Jimmy Olsen and Mary Marvel and the future of their Earth!
Oh yeah, like I'm going to drop this now! Unlike a lot of folks, I've been enjoying this series as a whole.
TITANS #1
A new team of Titans is born...Someone or something is continuing its attack on anyone who's ever been a Titan, including Nightwing, Starfire, Donna Troy, Beast Boy and Raven. You won't want to miss this new startling chapter in Titans history that may forge a new team from the ashes of old, dead friends.
I did enjoy the old New Teen Titans book, years and years ago, so I am going to start getting this one. Whether I keep on getting it, I don't know; I'm picking it up for reasons of nostalgia but that wouldn't be enough to keep me.
BIRDS OF PREY #117
Misfit and Manhunter are captured by the man responsible for the bizarre magical technology that has been threatening the Birds and all of Metropolis...leading Oracle to decide to relocate the team to try to take this new nemesis down for good.
No particular comment here, but I've seen no reason to drop this title yet.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #23
Some of the best and brightest of the Corps — including Kyle Rayner, Soranik Natu, Ion and Guy Gardner — are sent on an urgent mission to locate and destroy missing Sinestro Corps Rings that remain from the Sinestro Corps War. But Mongul has a different idea on what to do with the Rings…
Apparently featuring Soranic Natu, and therefore probably good. :)
SUPER FRIENDS #2
It’s big trouble in Metropolis when DINOSAURS go on a rampage! Will the Super Friends round up the mighty lizards before they make too much of a mess? Plus, activities, fact files and the next part of your Super Friends membership kit!
It looks cute, but of course I won't know whether we'll be keeping it until the eight-year-old sees it. She might enjoy the whole Super Friend angle, she might not, we'll see.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
What I Want: The April Marvel Solicitations
CAPTAIN AMERICA #37
ACT THREE OF "THE EPIC THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA" STORY BEGINS!
With a new Cap now established, things go from bad to worse as the Red Skull makes an unexpected move for the very soul of America! And what was it that Sharon Carter saw at the end of the last issue? Act Three - The Man Who Bought America - begins here! By the most popular Cap team in years - Brubaker and Epting!
Always on the list. If you cut me back to one comic a month, this would have to be it. Hopefully, you do not intend to do so. :) I'm certainly looking forward to seeing Sharon take a larger role again--actually, I am hoping to see her save herself rather than being rescued, but since right now we don't know what's going on with her, I'm not sure that's a realistic hope.
SECRET INVASION #1 (of 8)
SECRET INVASION IS HERE!! Years in the making, months in the teasing...and it all STARTS HERE!!
The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal...full-scale invasion! In this DOUBLE-SIZED first issue, page after page unveils reveal after reveal and shocking moment after shocking moment! Brian Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu leap off the pages of mega-hit New Avengers and deliver a story that will change the Marvel Universe forever.
THE MARVEL UNIVERSE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!
Actually I am torn on this one. I am, actually, genuinely interested in finding out what happens here. But I'm not sure I'm all that interested in reading the story. I think that probably this is a wait-for-trade sort of situation, if that.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #12
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN! The Eisner-award-winning team of Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev (NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI, HALO: UPRISING) reunite to answer the question that has been on every comic fan's mind for years...WHERE THE HELL HAS NICK FURY BEEN?? Rewinding the clock to Fury's time in SECRET WAR, follow Fury as he puts together the pieces of his life and starts finding clues to a Secret Invasion that makes him TARGET NUMBER ONE. A major Skrull reveal happens in these pages!
On the one hand, "Secret Invasion Tie-in" isn't a big selling point. On the other hand, come on, Nick Fury!
NEW AVENGERS #40
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!Very special guest artist Jimmy Cheung returns to the pages of New Avengers for this very important tie-in issue. Spinning right off of events in NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #1, find out exactly how the Skrull empire was able to infiltrate the Marvel Universe and who instigated the invasion and why.
Well, I didn't read the NA: Illuminati, but I read about it on the internets so I suppose I'm ready for this.
MS. MARVEL #26
Out–gunned and on the run! With S.H.I.E.L.D. convinced she’s a Skrull impostor, Ms. Marvel must fight for her identity and her life against her very own Lightning Strike Force! But when the Strike Force has a Ms. Marvel of their own, even Carol can’t be sure she’s Carol anymore! SECRET INVASION: The Infiltration continues here from Brian Reed (Captain Marvel) and Adriana Melo (Witchblade).
The "even Carol can't be sure she's Carol anymore" sounds a little cheesy, and you had to figure that would come up someplace in Secret Invasion. I am probably still on board with this one, though.
MOON KNIGHT #17
In the age of the Superhuman Registration Act, the only good hero is one that plays by the book -- which the card-carrying Moon Knight most assuredly does not. Indeed, with Moon Knight fast becoming the poster child for recklessness and brutality, the question of the day is just how he got a Registration Card in the first place! As Tony Stark's investigation unearths the ugly truth, Marc Spector braces himself for the consequences, unaware that an equally grave threat is preparing to strike. Carson Knowles -- a.k.a. the Black Spectre -- is back and he wants payback.
I'm still liking Moon Knight at this point, and this looks like a fun storyline.
SHE-HULK #28
Tracking down the mysterious bomber who attacked her in New York City, She-Hulk finds herself in prison – and the story of why she left her legal career behind finally begins to come to light.
Yay, we finally (maybe) find out why Jennifer isn't doing any of the things we are used to seeing her do!
THE LAST DEFENDERS #2 (of 6)
The Defenders are back -- Nighthawk! Colossus! She-Hulk! The Blazing Skull! -- and they've got their very own state to protect and serve (just don't call 'em "new", True Believers)! The Sons of the Serpent have moved in and only one fully-sanctioned team of super heroes can stop them! But will their first official mission end up as their FINAL mission? Believe it or not ... yes! Not to mention guest-stars galore in the must-have superhero mini-series of 2008!
Yes, I want, but will wait for the trade.
THE TWELVE #4 (of 12)
As the savage murders continue, and members of the Twelve come under a cloud of suspicion, tensions flare, and hero faces off against hero! Plus, the unbelievable origin of underground secret agent Rockman!
Another one I plan to get in trade form eventually. I seem more inclined to do that with miniseries, rather than with ongoings.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #4 (of 6)
The Vision is going through changes. He's a passionate man. And an impulsive one, if his decision to go and visit Stature at her Initiative training camp is anything to go by. He's got some important things to tell her. But will getting intangibly stuck halfway through her body while A.I.M. are attacking put a damper on his ardour?
I probably ought to have waited for trade on this one as well, but I'm not that patient.
ACT THREE OF "THE EPIC THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA" STORY BEGINS!
With a new Cap now established, things go from bad to worse as the Red Skull makes an unexpected move for the very soul of America! And what was it that Sharon Carter saw at the end of the last issue? Act Three - The Man Who Bought America - begins here! By the most popular Cap team in years - Brubaker and Epting!
Always on the list. If you cut me back to one comic a month, this would have to be it. Hopefully, you do not intend to do so. :) I'm certainly looking forward to seeing Sharon take a larger role again--actually, I am hoping to see her save herself rather than being rescued, but since right now we don't know what's going on with her, I'm not sure that's a realistic hope.
SECRET INVASION #1 (of 8)
SECRET INVASION IS HERE!! Years in the making, months in the teasing...and it all STARTS HERE!!
The shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal...full-scale invasion! In this DOUBLE-SIZED first issue, page after page unveils reveal after reveal and shocking moment after shocking moment! Brian Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu leap off the pages of mega-hit New Avengers and deliver a story that will change the Marvel Universe forever.
THE MARVEL UNIVERSE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!
Actually I am torn on this one. I am, actually, genuinely interested in finding out what happens here. But I'm not sure I'm all that interested in reading the story. I think that probably this is a wait-for-trade sort of situation, if that.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #12
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN! The Eisner-award-winning team of Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev (NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI, HALO: UPRISING) reunite to answer the question that has been on every comic fan's mind for years...WHERE THE HELL HAS NICK FURY BEEN?? Rewinding the clock to Fury's time in SECRET WAR, follow Fury as he puts together the pieces of his life and starts finding clues to a Secret Invasion that makes him TARGET NUMBER ONE. A major Skrull reveal happens in these pages!
On the one hand, "Secret Invasion Tie-in" isn't a big selling point. On the other hand, come on, Nick Fury!
NEW AVENGERS #40
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!Very special guest artist Jimmy Cheung returns to the pages of New Avengers for this very important tie-in issue. Spinning right off of events in NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #1, find out exactly how the Skrull empire was able to infiltrate the Marvel Universe and who instigated the invasion and why.
Well, I didn't read the NA: Illuminati, but I read about it on the internets so I suppose I'm ready for this.
MS. MARVEL #26
Out–gunned and on the run! With S.H.I.E.L.D. convinced she’s a Skrull impostor, Ms. Marvel must fight for her identity and her life against her very own Lightning Strike Force! But when the Strike Force has a Ms. Marvel of their own, even Carol can’t be sure she’s Carol anymore! SECRET INVASION: The Infiltration continues here from Brian Reed (Captain Marvel) and Adriana Melo (Witchblade).
The "even Carol can't be sure she's Carol anymore" sounds a little cheesy, and you had to figure that would come up someplace in Secret Invasion. I am probably still on board with this one, though.
MOON KNIGHT #17
In the age of the Superhuman Registration Act, the only good hero is one that plays by the book -- which the card-carrying Moon Knight most assuredly does not. Indeed, with Moon Knight fast becoming the poster child for recklessness and brutality, the question of the day is just how he got a Registration Card in the first place! As Tony Stark's investigation unearths the ugly truth, Marc Spector braces himself for the consequences, unaware that an equally grave threat is preparing to strike. Carson Knowles -- a.k.a. the Black Spectre -- is back and he wants payback.
I'm still liking Moon Knight at this point, and this looks like a fun storyline.
SHE-HULK #28
Tracking down the mysterious bomber who attacked her in New York City, She-Hulk finds herself in prison – and the story of why she left her legal career behind finally begins to come to light.
Yay, we finally (maybe) find out why Jennifer isn't doing any of the things we are used to seeing her do!
THE LAST DEFENDERS #2 (of 6)
The Defenders are back -- Nighthawk! Colossus! She-Hulk! The Blazing Skull! -- and they've got their very own state to protect and serve (just don't call 'em "new", True Believers)! The Sons of the Serpent have moved in and only one fully-sanctioned team of super heroes can stop them! But will their first official mission end up as their FINAL mission? Believe it or not ... yes! Not to mention guest-stars galore in the must-have superhero mini-series of 2008!
Yes, I want, but will wait for the trade.
THE TWELVE #4 (of 12)
As the savage murders continue, and members of the Twelve come under a cloud of suspicion, tensions flare, and hero faces off against hero! Plus, the unbelievable origin of underground secret agent Rockman!
Another one I plan to get in trade form eventually. I seem more inclined to do that with miniseries, rather than with ongoings.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #4 (of 6)
The Vision is going through changes. He's a passionate man. And an impulsive one, if his decision to go and visit Stature at her Initiative training camp is anything to go by. He's got some important things to tell her. But will getting intangibly stuck halfway through her body while A.I.M. are attacking put a damper on his ardour?
I probably ought to have waited for trade on this one as well, but I'm not that patient.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Captain America thought [Possible spoilers]
I've just read the April solicits, including glancing at the cover images of the books I'm interested in, and I am wondering whether there is going to be more than one person wearing the ooh-pretty-shiny new Captain America costume.
This is totally based on my own nit-picking of cover images, but it could mean something.
The Cap on the cover of #36 appears to have brown eyes. Which Winter Soldier has.
The Cap on the cover of #37, on the other hand, seems definitely to have blue eyes. Which Winter Soldier does not have. It's a close-up shot, so the eye color is pretty clear, and it's a close-up shot so there's no sign of whether this Cap is carrying a gun.
Just wondering. I can think of several interesting storylines that would include the use of more than one character as Cap. :)
This is totally based on my own nit-picking of cover images, but it could mean something.
The Cap on the cover of #36 appears to have brown eyes. Which Winter Soldier has.
The Cap on the cover of #37, on the other hand, seems definitely to have blue eyes. Which Winter Soldier does not have. It's a close-up shot, so the eye color is pretty clear, and it's a close-up shot so there's no sign of whether this Cap is carrying a gun.
Just wondering. I can think of several interesting storylines that would include the use of more than one character as Cap. :)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Note to self
I seriously need to start reading the solicitations for comics I ordinarily get before I actually order them.
The only X-title we get is New X-Men, which--apparently like the rest of the bunch--is currently in the throes of "Messiah Complex."
I am not impressed. If only I'd bothered to do more than just check off the New X-Men box, we could have skipped the whole thing.
My own fault, of course, but still making me cranky.
The only X-title we get is New X-Men, which--apparently like the rest of the bunch--is currently in the throes of "Messiah Complex."
I am not impressed. If only I'd bothered to do more than just check off the New X-Men box, we could have skipped the whole thing.
My own fault, of course, but still making me cranky.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Less wondering
When I was a kid, I was (as anyone who reads this blog at all regularly knows) primarily a Marvel fan, but I did--particularly in my pre-teen years--also pick up an occasional DC title.
Now, I was never a big Wonder Woman fan. I had nothing against her, but as far as the DC superheroines went, I much preferred Supergirl. (Actually, I really preferred any of the girls in the Legion of Superheroes, especially the ultimately cool Saturn Girl, but none of them had their very own comic books.) Wonder Woman, in those days, was old, at least as my kid brain saw it. To be fair, most of the DC heroes were old. Superman and Batman were clearly supposed to be about my dad's age (late 30s/early 40s at the time). And Wonder Woman had this odd Joan Crawford thing going with the eyebrows and all. (This was before the seventies-ification of Diana, before the white jumpsuit era.)
By the time Lynda Carter made her run at the role, I was in high school (well, I was by the time it hit CBS, the only network we were able to get) and thus pretty well set in my role models. The show was entertaining, but that was as far as it went.
So I don't really relate to much of the recent blog discussion of the Playboy Wonder Woman thing.
But I was reading this article at Comics Fairplay today, and although Heidi isn't one of the pissed-off, she definitely provides one of the best explanations of why people are upset that I've seen.
Now, I was never a big Wonder Woman fan. I had nothing against her, but as far as the DC superheroines went, I much preferred Supergirl. (Actually, I really preferred any of the girls in the Legion of Superheroes, especially the ultimately cool Saturn Girl, but none of them had their very own comic books.) Wonder Woman, in those days, was old, at least as my kid brain saw it. To be fair, most of the DC heroes were old. Superman and Batman were clearly supposed to be about my dad's age (late 30s/early 40s at the time). And Wonder Woman had this odd Joan Crawford thing going with the eyebrows and all. (This was before the seventies-ification of Diana, before the white jumpsuit era.)
By the time Lynda Carter made her run at the role, I was in high school (well, I was by the time it hit CBS, the only network we were able to get) and thus pretty well set in my role models. The show was entertaining, but that was as far as it went.
So I don't really relate to much of the recent blog discussion of the Playboy Wonder Woman thing.
But I was reading this article at Comics Fairplay today, and although Heidi isn't one of the pissed-off, she definitely provides one of the best explanations of why people are upset that I've seen.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Well, I had cut down on action figure consumption...
Occasional Superheroine has a post up about action figures which is worth a read (I personally am torn between articulation and good looks in my action figures), but the cool thing is that they are coming out with a Valkyrie action figure, which is the most excited I've been about one of these things in a while. (And she comes with a spear. But no magic helmet.)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Web comics I like
Achewood
The New Adventures of Queen Victoria
Planet Karen
The Rack
Scary Go Round
Something Positive
I know, it's not comic books, but it's the comic medium. :)
I'm pretty sure that everything on that list is still coming out fairly regularly (I like web comics, but they do tend to disappear, which is understandable enough). Can anyone suggest anything I'm missing out on?
The New Adventures of Queen Victoria
Planet Karen
The Rack
Scary Go Round
Something Positive
I know, it's not comic books, but it's the comic medium. :)
I'm pretty sure that everything on that list is still coming out fairly regularly (I like web comics, but they do tend to disappear, which is understandable enough). Can anyone suggest anything I'm missing out on?
Friday, January 18, 2008
Iron Man on a plane
From Iron Man 105, featuring the art of George Tuska, who I have a far greater appreciation for now than I did in the 70s.
And you know, I've never had brandy through a straw, but it strikes me as one of the last things you'd want to drink that way. Don't you usually use a snifter?
Between this and Tony's fave "amaretto and scotch," I've got to wonder what parties were like around the old Bullpen back then...
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Ben Grimm, however, remained awesome.
I gave up comics, for a while, back in the early 90s. Picked them up again about ten years later. I never gave it much conscious thought, why I quit (other than the plague of X-book crossovers).
Tonight I was looking over some of the books I got at around that time, and came across Fantastic Four 370, from '92. I'm posting this panel because it's just so insanely meta. :) And because it pretty well encapsulates the aforementioned why.
You know, I know that this era of comic books is going to inevitably be some folks' nostalgia fix, the way comics were when they were young, the period that all other comic eras fail to match. It's just hard for me to imagine.
Tonight I was looking over some of the books I got at around that time, and came across Fantastic Four 370, from '92. I'm posting this panel because it's just so insanely meta. :) And because it pretty well encapsulates the aforementioned why.
You know, I know that this era of comic books is going to inevitably be some folks' nostalgia fix, the way comics were when they were young, the period that all other comic eras fail to match. It's just hard for me to imagine.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Fury-ous
You should definitely check out the Nick Fury love over at Kalinara's.
Dude is the best character Marvel's got. :) And I say this as a Marvel fan with a great fondness for any number of Marvel characters.
Dude is the best character Marvel's got. :) And I say this as a Marvel fan with a great fondness for any number of Marvel characters.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
70s Tony Stark on Skid Row
From Iron Man 180, during the second alcoholism storyline. A little background: Tony's company was taken away by rival Obadiah Stane (abetted by his own lack of attention to business dealings at that time). The pregnant woman, Tony met after hitting the streets. (The baby is not his.)
I'll admit that I quite liked this storyline at the time it came out, in part because I really enjoyed seeing Rhodey take to the role of Iron Man, but the notion of an alcoholic superhero was fairly unique at the time (although, honestly, getting a bit old by the time the above appeared).
I'll admit that I quite liked this storyline at the time it came out, in part because I really enjoyed seeing Rhodey take to the role of Iron Man, but the notion of an alcoholic superhero was fairly unique at the time (although, honestly, getting a bit old by the time the above appeared).
Monday, January 14, 2008
Wondering
Is it weird that the first thing I thought, on looking at the Playboy Wonder Woman thing, was that they'd gotten the boots wrong?
And that the second was that, wow, Playboy Wonder Woman shows less of her ass than comic book Wonder Woman has lately?
And that the second was that, wow, Playboy Wonder Woman shows less of her ass than comic book Wonder Woman has lately?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
When Natasha wore fishnets
Because it's a busy weekend, here's an image of Black Widow getting her first Widow suit from the Russians:
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Planning to want this.
I can never resist peeking at the previews, and I am absolutely going to pick up Salvation Run when it's a trade. I don't know why, but Villains United gave me a real taste for life on the dark side of herodom. You never used to see much of that in the old days--villains doing things other than being villainous. It's kind of neat.
I'm also wondering whether I'd be best served by picking up Supergirl like that as well. You know, just the books that hold relatively kid-friendly stories.
I'm also wondering whether I'd be best served by picking up Supergirl like that as well. You know, just the books that hold relatively kid-friendly stories.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Valkyrie
Back in the day, when I was a teen-ager, one of my favorite Marvel books was The Defenders. Now, I didn't get in on the ground floor of this title, when the Defenders consisted of Dr. Strange, the Hulk and the Sub-Mariner. I picked it up a little later, when the team had folks like Nighthawk, Hellcat, and especially the Valkyrie.
I liked the Valkyrie. What she was, was the spirit of, well, a Valkyrie occupying the body of Barbara Norris, a human woman. I'm not sure why. In any case, Val had an assortment of superhuman abilities and a sword. (A sword is always cool.) She also had, unfortunately, a husband--or, rather, Barbara Norris had one, Jack Norris, who kept coming around pestering her to come back to him and be his wife. Val, of course, was not Barbara, and although she was considerably more patient with him than I would have been in her place, eventually enough was enough, damn it.
So I came across some old issues a few months back, and while I haven't sat down to read them in detail, I have looked it over. And what I am surprised to find is that, this time around, I actually have some sympathy for Jack Norris. Way back when, I considered him an annoyance--couldn't he get it through his thick head that the Valkyrie was not his wife? Why did he keep coming around bothering her? Why didn't he just leave her alone when she so obviously didn't want him? Why not get on with his life? (All right, I'm lying there--I didn't care a fig whether Jack Norris got on with his life. I didn't care a fig about Jack Norris. I just cared that he was annoying Val, who my teenage self thought was so totally cool.)
But now--what, 35 years later? Now that I've been married, I have a little more appreciation for poor Jack. Sure, he's still a bit of a dick--he was, after all, somewhat of a 70s-era stereotypical chauvinist, and therefore wasn't unhappy only because his wife had left but because she was now a superheroine--but I no longer roll my eyes when he shows up, and I can even feel a little sorry for him, and maybe even admire him a tiny bit for not giving up. I sure wouldn't want to be married to him, but that's beside the point.
But as a teenager? Jack Norris was the epitome of an unsympathetic character. I loathed him. He was trying get in the way of the entirely awesome Valkyrie, to take her away from her awesome life as a superhero and drag her back to "normal" life. Normal life is fine and all...but not when you have the option of being an awesome sword-swinging superheroine instead.
I liked the Valkyrie. What she was, was the spirit of, well, a Valkyrie occupying the body of Barbara Norris, a human woman. I'm not sure why. In any case, Val had an assortment of superhuman abilities and a sword. (A sword is always cool.) She also had, unfortunately, a husband--or, rather, Barbara Norris had one, Jack Norris, who kept coming around pestering her to come back to him and be his wife. Val, of course, was not Barbara, and although she was considerably more patient with him than I would have been in her place, eventually enough was enough, damn it.
So I came across some old issues a few months back, and while I haven't sat down to read them in detail, I have looked it over. And what I am surprised to find is that, this time around, I actually have some sympathy for Jack Norris. Way back when, I considered him an annoyance--couldn't he get it through his thick head that the Valkyrie was not his wife? Why did he keep coming around bothering her? Why didn't he just leave her alone when she so obviously didn't want him? Why not get on with his life? (All right, I'm lying there--I didn't care a fig whether Jack Norris got on with his life. I didn't care a fig about Jack Norris. I just cared that he was annoying Val, who my teenage self thought was so totally cool.)
But now--what, 35 years later? Now that I've been married, I have a little more appreciation for poor Jack. Sure, he's still a bit of a dick--he was, after all, somewhat of a 70s-era stereotypical chauvinist, and therefore wasn't unhappy only because his wife had left but because she was now a superheroine--but I no longer roll my eyes when he shows up, and I can even feel a little sorry for him, and maybe even admire him a tiny bit for not giving up. I sure wouldn't want to be married to him, but that's beside the point.
But as a teenager? Jack Norris was the epitome of an unsympathetic character. I loathed him. He was trying get in the way of the entirely awesome Valkyrie, to take her away from her awesome life as a superhero and drag her back to "normal" life. Normal life is fine and all...but not when you have the option of being an awesome sword-swinging superheroine instead.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A comparison
One of my late Yule gifts was the two-volume trade paperback set of Batman: Under the Hood, which I wanted because of Countdown and my resulting curiosity about Jason Todd. I've only given it a first read so far, so won't really write about it at this point, but I've read it closely enough to compile this list of similarities/differences between his story and that of the Winter Soldier, just for fun.
Origin:
Winter Soldier: As Bucky, he was a part of the Captain America mythos from the very start, appearing in the first Golden Age issue of Cap's book. In the original tale, Cap was doing his thing, Bucky discovered his secret identity by accident, and Cap took him on as a partner. In the current version, the military trained and assigned Bucky to Cap. In either case, they almost always worked together, right up until Bucky's death and Cap's disappearance. Their relationship seems to have been one of best friends or brothers.
Jason Todd: A Gotham City street kid, the Batman caught him stealing tires from the Batmobile. Somehow this resulted in the hero taking him on as the second Robin (the first, Dick Grayson, having left the nest and taken on the identity of Nightwing). Their relationship seems to have had mainly a father/son dynamic.
Cause of death:
Winter Soldier: Died heroically, trying to disarm a bomb as it flew across the English channel; the bomb exploded and he and Captain America both fell to the freezing waters below.
Jason Todd: After a long (and eventually successful) search for his biological mother, he was beaten with a crowbar by the Joker, and then he (and she) were trapped in a building which was exploded, also by the Joker.
Actual cause of death:
Winter Soldier: Editorial/authorial mandate. Stan didn't want to deal with kid sidekicks in the new Marvel Universe. His death also had the effect of converting happy-go-lucky Golden Age Cap into angst-ridden Silver Age Cap.
Jason Todd: Fan mandate. DC left it up to the readers, setting up a vote as to whether the character should live or die. I had been under the impression that it was a landslide sort of thing, but apparently it was actually quite close.
Why he's not dead anymore:
Winter Soldier: Turns out that when he and Cap were dropped into the ocean, the Russians (specifically a Major Karpov with a grudge against the Captain) heard about it and ran to see what they could find. What they found was the dead body of Bucky, missing an arm but otherwise in good shape. They revived him, discovered that his injuries had caused significant brain damage in the form of (of course!) amnesia. However, his fighting skills were intact. They supplied him with a new set of memories and turned him into a Soviet assassin, keeping him in suspended animation when he wasn't actually in use, which is why he's still so young--he didn't spend all that much time in the world getting older. (Not actually all that complicated of a story.)
Jason Todd: From what I can gather, it was an effect of Superboy Prime, trapped in a world with no one but old Superman, old Lois, and Alexander Luthor from COIE to keep him company, punching ...um, something? and changing time and reality itself. One of the particular things that changed was that Jason Todd was no longer dead. Unfortunately, he was still in his grave, and of course had never been treated for any of the injuries he sustained when he was killed. So he dug his way out of his coffin (lucky for him the Gotham cemeteries don't require coffins to be interred in massive concrete vaults, which is pretty much the standard requirement everywhere else). Spent a year in a hospital in a vegetative state (due to Joker-inflicted brain damage that kicked in not long after his revival). Escaped, spent a year living on the street until a fellow vagrant realized who he was (because his fighting skills were intact, if instinctual at that point). Spent a year recovering his physical health (but none of his mental acuity) at Ra's Al Ghul's compound until Ra's decided he wasn't improving and had to go, at which point daughter Talia threw him into a Lazarus Pit--apparently restoring his higher functions--and sent him on his way. (Pretty much the definition of a complicated story.)
Why he was acting like a villain:
Winter Soldier: Soviet brainwashing and mental conditioning. And (according to the new backstory--which I like, by the way) he always did have a bit of a mean streak (as Faustus notes), and no particular problem with taking lives in the course of a mission. He was a soldier in a war, after all.
Jason Todd: Debatable. Possibly some of his more extreme acts were due to some of the things that have happened to him (supposedly the Lazarus Pit can have a detrimental effect on people). But, according to the books, he always did have a bit of a mean streak (as Alfred notes). And seems to have decided early on that Batman's never-kill methodology wasn't always the wisest course.
Why he stopped acting like a villain:
Winter Soldier: When Captain America used the Cosmic Cube to restore WS's memories, he immediately abandoned his handler, Lukin. However, he has not, thus far, made any attempt to be a superhero. He spent some time working for Nick Fury, some more time seeking revenge against Lukin and the Red Skull, and right now it looks like he's going to take on the role of Cap for a while, under some duress. He may no longer be a villain, but that doesn't make him a straight-up hero. He'd make a lousy Avenger, but a pretty good SHIELD agent.
Jason Todd: Has he? Although he seems, via Countdown, to be on a path toward some sort of redemption, it's a slow one.
What he thinks of his old mentor/partner:
Winter Soldier: He avoided Cap for a long time, ashamed of what he had done as WS, and never really had a chance to reunite before Cap was killed. He admires Cap and what he stood for, but doesn't seem really to want to follow his example.
Jason Todd: At one point he seemed to feel fairly angry and betrayed by Batman; whether that's still true, I don't know (he no longer seems to be angry with the other Robins), but he certainly does not seem to have changed his opinion of the effectiveness of Batman's methods.
Legacy?
Winter Soldier: Appears to be preparing to take on the role of Captain America after his death, although you never know what's going to happen in that book. If so, he'll put his own spin on it and not try to be Cap. He wouldn't think that that was possible.
Jason Todd: There were rumors that Jason would be taking on the Batman mantle (after Batman's also-rumored death), but if so it hasn't happened yet. Also supposedly he's going to be the new (?) Red Robin, according to that giant DC teaser image.
Costume?
Winter Soldier: The Winter Soldier has a great costume. It looks good, appears to be fairly functional (once they got rid of that cable thing on the original arm), and seems properly stealthy for the sort of work he does. If he is going to be the new Cap, I hope it's not for long so he can get back into his WS gear fast!
Jason Todd: The "hood" took some time to grow on me. As for the rest of the costume--armored shirt/jeans/boots with a leather jacket--it's not really a costume, but it looks all right and seems to work for him. It's a hell of a lot better looking than the Red Robin costume in that giant DC teaser image (ugh!).
How's the story?
Winter Soldier: Awesome. Duh.
Jason Todd: A lot better than I had expected. Apart from the whole "Superboy punch" thing, and I have to say that it would take a hell of a story to make up for that. But as for the rest of what I've read? Not bad.
Origin:
Winter Soldier: As Bucky, he was a part of the Captain America mythos from the very start, appearing in the first Golden Age issue of Cap's book. In the original tale, Cap was doing his thing, Bucky discovered his secret identity by accident, and Cap took him on as a partner. In the current version, the military trained and assigned Bucky to Cap. In either case, they almost always worked together, right up until Bucky's death and Cap's disappearance. Their relationship seems to have been one of best friends or brothers.
Jason Todd: A Gotham City street kid, the Batman caught him stealing tires from the Batmobile. Somehow this resulted in the hero taking him on as the second Robin (the first, Dick Grayson, having left the nest and taken on the identity of Nightwing). Their relationship seems to have had mainly a father/son dynamic.
Cause of death:
Winter Soldier: Died heroically, trying to disarm a bomb as it flew across the English channel; the bomb exploded and he and Captain America both fell to the freezing waters below.
Jason Todd: After a long (and eventually successful) search for his biological mother, he was beaten with a crowbar by the Joker, and then he (and she) were trapped in a building which was exploded, also by the Joker.
Actual cause of death:
Winter Soldier: Editorial/authorial mandate. Stan didn't want to deal with kid sidekicks in the new Marvel Universe. His death also had the effect of converting happy-go-lucky Golden Age Cap into angst-ridden Silver Age Cap.
Jason Todd: Fan mandate. DC left it up to the readers, setting up a vote as to whether the character should live or die. I had been under the impression that it was a landslide sort of thing, but apparently it was actually quite close.
Why he's not dead anymore:
Winter Soldier: Turns out that when he and Cap were dropped into the ocean, the Russians (specifically a Major Karpov with a grudge against the Captain) heard about it and ran to see what they could find. What they found was the dead body of Bucky, missing an arm but otherwise in good shape. They revived him, discovered that his injuries had caused significant brain damage in the form of (of course!) amnesia. However, his fighting skills were intact. They supplied him with a new set of memories and turned him into a Soviet assassin, keeping him in suspended animation when he wasn't actually in use, which is why he's still so young--he didn't spend all that much time in the world getting older. (Not actually all that complicated of a story.)
Jason Todd: From what I can gather, it was an effect of Superboy Prime, trapped in a world with no one but old Superman, old Lois, and Alexander Luthor from COIE to keep him company, punching ...um, something? and changing time and reality itself. One of the particular things that changed was that Jason Todd was no longer dead. Unfortunately, he was still in his grave, and of course had never been treated for any of the injuries he sustained when he was killed. So he dug his way out of his coffin (lucky for him the Gotham cemeteries don't require coffins to be interred in massive concrete vaults, which is pretty much the standard requirement everywhere else). Spent a year in a hospital in a vegetative state (due to Joker-inflicted brain damage that kicked in not long after his revival). Escaped, spent a year living on the street until a fellow vagrant realized who he was (because his fighting skills were intact, if instinctual at that point). Spent a year recovering his physical health (but none of his mental acuity) at Ra's Al Ghul's compound until Ra's decided he wasn't improving and had to go, at which point daughter Talia threw him into a Lazarus Pit--apparently restoring his higher functions--and sent him on his way. (Pretty much the definition of a complicated story.)
Why he was acting like a villain:
Winter Soldier: Soviet brainwashing and mental conditioning. And (according to the new backstory--which I like, by the way) he always did have a bit of a mean streak (as Faustus notes), and no particular problem with taking lives in the course of a mission. He was a soldier in a war, after all.
Jason Todd: Debatable. Possibly some of his more extreme acts were due to some of the things that have happened to him (supposedly the Lazarus Pit can have a detrimental effect on people). But, according to the books, he always did have a bit of a mean streak (as Alfred notes). And seems to have decided early on that Batman's never-kill methodology wasn't always the wisest course.
Why he stopped acting like a villain:
Winter Soldier: When Captain America used the Cosmic Cube to restore WS's memories, he immediately abandoned his handler, Lukin. However, he has not, thus far, made any attempt to be a superhero. He spent some time working for Nick Fury, some more time seeking revenge against Lukin and the Red Skull, and right now it looks like he's going to take on the role of Cap for a while, under some duress. He may no longer be a villain, but that doesn't make him a straight-up hero. He'd make a lousy Avenger, but a pretty good SHIELD agent.
Jason Todd: Has he? Although he seems, via Countdown, to be on a path toward some sort of redemption, it's a slow one.
What he thinks of his old mentor/partner:
Winter Soldier: He avoided Cap for a long time, ashamed of what he had done as WS, and never really had a chance to reunite before Cap was killed. He admires Cap and what he stood for, but doesn't seem really to want to follow his example.
Jason Todd: At one point he seemed to feel fairly angry and betrayed by Batman; whether that's still true, I don't know (he no longer seems to be angry with the other Robins), but he certainly does not seem to have changed his opinion of the effectiveness of Batman's methods.
Legacy?
Winter Soldier: Appears to be preparing to take on the role of Captain America after his death, although you never know what's going to happen in that book. If so, he'll put his own spin on it and not try to be Cap. He wouldn't think that that was possible.
Jason Todd: There were rumors that Jason would be taking on the Batman mantle (after Batman's also-rumored death), but if so it hasn't happened yet. Also supposedly he's going to be the new (?) Red Robin, according to that giant DC teaser image.
Costume?
Winter Soldier: The Winter Soldier has a great costume. It looks good, appears to be fairly functional (once they got rid of that cable thing on the original arm), and seems properly stealthy for the sort of work he does. If he is going to be the new Cap, I hope it's not for long so he can get back into his WS gear fast!
Jason Todd: The "hood" took some time to grow on me. As for the rest of the costume--armored shirt/jeans/boots with a leather jacket--it's not really a costume, but it looks all right and seems to work for him. It's a hell of a lot better looking than the Red Robin costume in that giant DC teaser image (ugh!).
How's the story?
Winter Soldier: Awesome. Duh.
Jason Todd: A lot better than I had expected. Apart from the whole "Superboy punch" thing, and I have to say that it would take a hell of a story to make up for that. But as for the rest of what I've read? Not bad.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Kid books
Although I probably talk more about the comics I buy because I like them--not that the kids don't enjoy most of those as well--I do get some books specifically for them as well.
For the thirteen-year-old:
New X-Men. She decided that that was the one X-title she had to have, so we get it. On the whole it's not bad, although right now I think they're in the middle of a crossover so I know that the quality will suffer for as long as that lasts.
Teen Titans. We get that in trade form, as the books come out, which is actually a pretty neat way to go. It's generally readable, often pretty good.
Although she denies choosing her favorites based on whether they have young characters, most of the books she's shown even a passing particular interest in (i.e. Runaways) have featured teens, so I have to conclude that even if she's not aware of it, she really does prefer the teen-oriented books. (Another reason to pick up some Blue Beetle trades at some point.)
For the nine-year-old:
Scooby-Doo. Always, always, there has to be Scooby. Fortunately Scooby is never late.
Marvel Adventures Avengers. She likes it, likes the characters (although she is anxious for a guest appearance from her all-time favorite hero Deadpool, which has not yet materialized).
She has a strong preference for lighter books, particular ones with a lot of humor. (On the other hand, she reads Captain America every month, which is more than her older sister does, so go figure.)
We've gotten some of the DC kid-oriented books in the past, which both kids read. They liked the first Justice League series, but did not care for Justice League Unlimited nearly as much, apparently preferring the smaller group with more Hawkgirl, who both girls adored. We also tried Teen Titans Go for a while, but the younger girl isn't a Titans fan and the older one prefers the actual Titans book.
I am, however, going to try out the new Super Friends comic that DC is putting out. It's got the iconic characters, and the Green Lantern is John Stewart and neither girl thinks there's any point to any other GL. Yes, it's "based on the hot toy line from Mattel." But you know, when I was a kid I bought Micronauts despite having no interest whatsoever in those toys, and that turned out to be a surprisingly good book. We'll try a few issues, anyway.
For the thirteen-year-old:
New X-Men. She decided that that was the one X-title she had to have, so we get it. On the whole it's not bad, although right now I think they're in the middle of a crossover so I know that the quality will suffer for as long as that lasts.
Teen Titans. We get that in trade form, as the books come out, which is actually a pretty neat way to go. It's generally readable, often pretty good.
Although she denies choosing her favorites based on whether they have young characters, most of the books she's shown even a passing particular interest in (i.e. Runaways) have featured teens, so I have to conclude that even if she's not aware of it, she really does prefer the teen-oriented books. (Another reason to pick up some Blue Beetle trades at some point.)
For the nine-year-old:
Scooby-Doo. Always, always, there has to be Scooby. Fortunately Scooby is never late.
Marvel Adventures Avengers. She likes it, likes the characters (although she is anxious for a guest appearance from her all-time favorite hero Deadpool, which has not yet materialized).
She has a strong preference for lighter books, particular ones with a lot of humor. (On the other hand, she reads Captain America every month, which is more than her older sister does, so go figure.)
We've gotten some of the DC kid-oriented books in the past, which both kids read. They liked the first Justice League series, but did not care for Justice League Unlimited nearly as much, apparently preferring the smaller group with more Hawkgirl, who both girls adored. We also tried Teen Titans Go for a while, but the younger girl isn't a Titans fan and the older one prefers the actual Titans book.
I am, however, going to try out the new Super Friends comic that DC is putting out. It's got the iconic characters, and the Green Lantern is John Stewart and neither girl thinks there's any point to any other GL. Yes, it's "based on the hot toy line from Mattel." But you know, when I was a kid I bought Micronauts despite having no interest whatsoever in those toys, and that turned out to be a surprisingly good book. We'll try a few issues, anyway.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
That Green Lantern Quiz
Which Power Ring would come to you? |
Your compassion knows no bounds.You have been given an Indigo staff and ring in order to do your work across the universe with like-minded fellows. You're now an Indigo Lantern. Take this quiz!  Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code |
Not what I would have expected. Actually I'm not sure what I would have expected, just not that. Also, dang, that's a long bit of code for what you end up with!
Monday, January 07, 2008
All right, I've got to give him this one.
From that CBR interview with Joe Quesada:
Okay, yeah, that's pretty much true for me as well.
But I'm not convinced that it has much to do with being married or not, being more of a function of being young, and stupid, and convinced of my own immortality and the kindness of strangers. And a lot of the "story-worthy" aspects of my life then had nothing to do with relationships. However, some did. So I'm giving partial credit here. :)
Let me try to put this as plainly as I can, and let’s be really honest here, let’s really look at marriage for a second. I'll get personal, for a moment. I have an incredible marriage and a fantastic kid, but there is no question that my life was much more story-worthy when I was single. Was I happier? Absolutely not. Was my life a better story from a drama sense? Ummmm, yeah.
Okay, yeah, that's pretty much true for me as well.
But I'm not convinced that it has much to do with being married or not, being more of a function of being young, and stupid, and convinced of my own immortality and the kindness of strangers. And a lot of the "story-worthy" aspects of my life then had nothing to do with relationships. However, some did. So I'm giving partial credit here. :)
Sunday, January 06, 2008
One More Spider-Thought, I Promise (:crosses fingers:) [Spoilers, most likely]
So in Comics Should Be Good pointed out something from this section of the Quesada interview:
Which seems fine, other than that it doesn't seem to quite mesh with what I've seen online of the story. Isn't there something about Peter and MJ's "special love?" You know--and this is speaking as a married person--it isn't marriage per se that makes love special. You can have a special love without vows or rings ever entering into it. So, if the only thing that's different now is the lack of vows and rings...what, exactly, did Mephisto get out of the deal?
Also... since nothing changed other than the fact of the marriage, does this mean that Peter and MJ have been (horrors!) living in sin for the last twenty years? :P
Not that I'm going to worry about it much, if it solves most of my main problem with the thing. (Although I now have to wonder whether Cap was nagging Spidey and MJ about tying the knot the way he did Luke and Jessica. :))
What didn’t occur was the marriage. Peter and MJ were together, they loved each other -- they just didn’t pull the trigger on the wedding day. All the books count, all the stories count -- except in the minds of the people within the Marvel U, Peter and MJ were a couple, not a married couple.
Which seems fine, other than that it doesn't seem to quite mesh with what I've seen online of the story. Isn't there something about Peter and MJ's "special love?" You know--and this is speaking as a married person--it isn't marriage per se that makes love special. You can have a special love without vows or rings ever entering into it. So, if the only thing that's different now is the lack of vows and rings...what, exactly, did Mephisto get out of the deal?
Also... since nothing changed other than the fact of the marriage, does this mean that Peter and MJ have been (horrors!) living in sin for the last twenty years? :P
Not that I'm going to worry about it much, if it solves most of my main problem with the thing. (Although I now have to wonder whether Cap was nagging Spidey and MJ about tying the knot the way he did Luke and Jessica. :))
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Fat Zatanna (Countdown spoilers)
I've read a few different reviews/comments about Countdown 18. That's the one with the Challengers at last finding Ray Palmer on his perfect Earth, with all his Silver Age friends (Barry and Iris, Ralph and Sue, all the old gang) still among the living, happily retired from herodom because, well, they won the fight against evil on that Earth.
Other than the whole "finally!" reaction, the main thing I've seen mentioned about this issue is Zatanna. Specifically, that the retired Zatanna of this Earth, now working as a psychologist (instead of returning to the stage?), has put on some weight. Some people find the change amusing, others don't like it at all. There have also been some comments about her wearing a variant of her old costume--a fitted dress suit with fishnet stockings. Comments on how she let herself go, or wondering why she wasn't wearing something less revealing/form-fitting (with or without fishnets). It's amazing how many people seem to be personally offended by this, whereas mean and nasty Zatanna (killed by Superman Prime) bothered them not at all.
But you know, I'm not seeing that.
What I'm seeing is a Zatanna who--a little older, a little less active--may have put on a few pounds, who dresses appropriately for her current profession but with just that little touch of sex appeal (the fishnets), and whose sense of herself as an attractive, sexual woman is strong enough that she's just as confident of these things as a older, larger woman.
Nothing wrong with that.
Other than the whole "finally!" reaction, the main thing I've seen mentioned about this issue is Zatanna. Specifically, that the retired Zatanna of this Earth, now working as a psychologist (instead of returning to the stage?), has put on some weight. Some people find the change amusing, others don't like it at all. There have also been some comments about her wearing a variant of her old costume--a fitted dress suit with fishnet stockings. Comments on how she let herself go, or wondering why she wasn't wearing something less revealing/form-fitting (with or without fishnets). It's amazing how many people seem to be personally offended by this, whereas mean and nasty Zatanna (killed by Superman Prime) bothered them not at all.
But you know, I'm not seeing that.
What I'm seeing is a Zatanna who--a little older, a little less active--may have put on a few pounds, who dresses appropriately for her current profession but with just that little touch of sex appeal (the fishnets), and whose sense of herself as an attractive, sexual woman is strong enough that she's just as confident of these things as a older, larger woman.
Nothing wrong with that.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Thoughts on Spider-Man and Comic Book Reality
So Newsarama has an article up, One More (More) Day? JMS Explains His Ending. I had heard, as had many of us, about how the author of "One More Day" was not happy about the way the story had been written. This piece has a bit more detail about that, and is worth reading.
Since my own concern for this story is based mainly on how it affects those non-Spider-Man titles I read, what I found most interesting here is the disagreement on whose preferred way of dealing with the issue (of dumping MJ) would cause the fewest problems with the rest of the Marvel universe and its continuity.
On the one hand,
And on the other hand (a rebuttal from JMS),
Obviously I'm speaking from a place of ignorance here, but it does seem to me, from what I've seen online, that what was done is going to interfere with a lot of existing continuity. But if all the available options would do the same thing...well, wouldn't it have been simpler just not to do it at all?
I mean, I'm traditionally a Marvel reader, and while I've broadened my horizons, there are things I still prefer about the way Marvel tends to do things--among them the fact that they generally haven't done continuity reboots. I think that's a good thing.
Personally I have no problem with Tony Stark's origin taking place during the Viet Nam era, because...It's Comic Books! Dazzler started her musical career in disco? Why not, It's Comic Books! Batman eternally in his thirties while Dick Grayson surely nears that decade himself? Reed Richards and Ben Grimm veterans of WWII? Lois Lane in those pillbox hats? Not a problem--It's Comic Books! In fact, I think that's my answer to any of those pain-in-the-ass sliding-timeline things--it's not important because It's Comic Books!
I feel much better now.
Since my own concern for this story is based mainly on how it affects those non-Spider-Man titles I read, what I found most interesting here is the disagreement on whose preferred way of dealing with the issue (of dumping MJ) would cause the fewest problems with the rest of the Marvel universe and its continuity.
On the one hand,
Quesada also explained that he wasn’t comfortable with Straczynski’s method of retconning the marriage out of existence, saying: “Also, the science that Joe was going to apply to the retcon of the marriage would have made over 30 years of Spider-Man books worthless, because they never would have had happened. We would have also had a "Crisis" in the Marvel Universe because it would have reset way too many things outside of the Spider-Man titles. We just couldn't go there and in the end we weren't expecting that kind of story.
And on the other hand (a rebuttal from JMS),
What I wanted to do was to make one small change to history, a tiny thing, whose ripples we could control to only touch what editorial wanted to touch, making changes we could explain logically. I worked for weeks to come up with a timeline that would leave every other bit of continuity in place. It was rigorous, and as logical as I could make it.
Obviously I'm speaking from a place of ignorance here, but it does seem to me, from what I've seen online, that what was done is going to interfere with a lot of existing continuity. But if all the available options would do the same thing...well, wouldn't it have been simpler just not to do it at all?
I mean, I'm traditionally a Marvel reader, and while I've broadened my horizons, there are things I still prefer about the way Marvel tends to do things--among them the fact that they generally haven't done continuity reboots. I think that's a good thing.
Personally I have no problem with Tony Stark's origin taking place during the Viet Nam era, because...It's Comic Books! Dazzler started her musical career in disco? Why not, It's Comic Books! Batman eternally in his thirties while Dick Grayson surely nears that decade himself? Reed Richards and Ben Grimm veterans of WWII? Lois Lane in those pillbox hats? Not a problem--It's Comic Books! In fact, I think that's my answer to any of those pain-in-the-ass sliding-timeline things--it's not important because It's Comic Books!
I feel much better now.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
One more very long and complicated day [Spoilers]
I will reiterate. I am a Marvel reader of 35+ years standing, but I have never been a Spider-fan. I never read him as a kid, as a teen, as a young adult, or (now) as a middle-aged mom. I have nothing against the character (or any of his supporting cast), he (and they) just never did anything for me. (So, how little do I know about Spider-Man? Well, I guess they brought Harry Osborn back to life?--I don't think I even knew he was dead.)
For this reason, I've been reading a lot of the commentary on "One More Day" with some interest. Not because I'm planning to join the throng of fans who are cancelling their subscriptions or abandoning all Marvel products altogether; as a non-Spider-fan, there's no reason for me to do that.
Actually, I've probably seen more of Spidey and family in the last few years than I ever have in my life--ever since he joined the New Avengers. (I am an Avengers fan, and will try anything with "Avengers" in the name--I'm down to New and Mighty these days, but I do look into it all.) So, having Spider-Man and MJ and May living in Avengers Tower, that's the most exposure I've had to those characters. And they were all right--nothing to get me to run out and buy any of the Spider-titles, but I had no problem with them being in the book, and I kind of dug the interactions between May and Jarvis. In the old Avengers, married couples didn't live in the mansion unless both of them were members (Wasp/Yellowjacket, Vision/Scarlet Witch). If any other members were married (and I don't recall offhand if any were) they kept that part of their life away from the action. But in the New Avengers, Sentry's wife was there, and MJ and May. I've got to admit that I wondered at the wisdom of this, but it did make for an interesting group dynamic at times.
So--and keeping in mind that I have not read "One More Day" and probably won't be--my main concern with this thing is how it affects the books I do read. Do I open New Avengers and discover that no one remembers Peter bristling over Logan's appreciation of his red-headed wife? Or May helping Jarvis with his overload of work? Do they just remember the May parts? Do they even know Spider-Man's identity?--because I'm pretty sure he told them before he told the rest of the world. And what about Spider-Man's particular animosity toward Iron Man, who convinced him that it would be a good idea to reveal himself and endanger his family? Is he now only mad at him because of the same things everyone else is mad at him about? (Not that that wouldn't be enough, but without the betrayed relationship it's really not the same drama.)
Honestly, this stuff is going to have to be addressed in quite a few books, considering how popular a guest star Spidey is. That, I find annoying.
For this reason, I've been reading a lot of the commentary on "One More Day" with some interest. Not because I'm planning to join the throng of fans who are cancelling their subscriptions or abandoning all Marvel products altogether; as a non-Spider-fan, there's no reason for me to do that.
Actually, I've probably seen more of Spidey and family in the last few years than I ever have in my life--ever since he joined the New Avengers. (I am an Avengers fan, and will try anything with "Avengers" in the name--I'm down to New and Mighty these days, but I do look into it all.) So, having Spider-Man and MJ and May living in Avengers Tower, that's the most exposure I've had to those characters. And they were all right--nothing to get me to run out and buy any of the Spider-titles, but I had no problem with them being in the book, and I kind of dug the interactions between May and Jarvis. In the old Avengers, married couples didn't live in the mansion unless both of them were members (Wasp/Yellowjacket, Vision/Scarlet Witch). If any other members were married (and I don't recall offhand if any were) they kept that part of their life away from the action. But in the New Avengers, Sentry's wife was there, and MJ and May. I've got to admit that I wondered at the wisdom of this, but it did make for an interesting group dynamic at times.
So--and keeping in mind that I have not read "One More Day" and probably won't be--my main concern with this thing is how it affects the books I do read. Do I open New Avengers and discover that no one remembers Peter bristling over Logan's appreciation of his red-headed wife? Or May helping Jarvis with his overload of work? Do they just remember the May parts? Do they even know Spider-Man's identity?--because I'm pretty sure he told them before he told the rest of the world. And what about Spider-Man's particular animosity toward Iron Man, who convinced him that it would be a good idea to reveal himself and endanger his family? Is he now only mad at him because of the same things everyone else is mad at him about? (Not that that wouldn't be enough, but without the betrayed relationship it's really not the same drama.)
Honestly, this stuff is going to have to be addressed in quite a few books, considering how popular a guest star Spidey is. That, I find annoying.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Back issues
Last summer, when we were downstate, in a city with numerous comic shops, I bought some Green Lantern back issues.
Now, this was the first time I had done so since rejoining the world of comic fandom in the early 00's.
And it wasn't my first choice of format--I had first checked to see whether the issues I wanted were available in trade form, and they were not. In fact, if the full run of Kyle's GL issues had been collected in trades, the way so many books seem to be these days, I'd have them all. They aren't, so I don't.
But I kind of miss the old days. I remember being a teenager in the 70s, and ordering however many back issues of Avengers or Legion of Superheroes I figured I could afford at the time.
How did I get them?
Well, first I went through one of my comics, which in those days didn't have the pricey full-page ads they do now--most of their ad pages consisted of a large number of smaller ads, and that's where you could find the shops that dealt in back issues. I sent letters to several of these asking for a catalog, and after looking over them all I decided to go with a fellow called R. Crestohl, who hailed from Canada IIRC. And he became my source for the next several years. On the whole I ordered less expensive books--usually good or very fine copies, because I just wanted to read them--although one year I got a copy of Avengers 4 for my birthday. (I think it was $20.00.) Then came the real waiting. When the comics arrived I'd read them, in order, cover to cover including the letters pages. Total awesomeness.
And while I love my comics now, and love the immediacy of the internet, there's really nothing like that anymore. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with just being older--I'm just not capable of having that much fun anymore. :)
Now, this was the first time I had done so since rejoining the world of comic fandom in the early 00's.
And it wasn't my first choice of format--I had first checked to see whether the issues I wanted were available in trade form, and they were not. In fact, if the full run of Kyle's GL issues had been collected in trades, the way so many books seem to be these days, I'd have them all. They aren't, so I don't.
But I kind of miss the old days. I remember being a teenager in the 70s, and ordering however many back issues of Avengers or Legion of Superheroes I figured I could afford at the time.
How did I get them?
Well, first I went through one of my comics, which in those days didn't have the pricey full-page ads they do now--most of their ad pages consisted of a large number of smaller ads, and that's where you could find the shops that dealt in back issues. I sent letters to several of these asking for a catalog, and after looking over them all I decided to go with a fellow called R. Crestohl, who hailed from Canada IIRC. And he became my source for the next several years. On the whole I ordered less expensive books--usually good or very fine copies, because I just wanted to read them--although one year I got a copy of Avengers 4 for my birthday. (I think it was $20.00.) Then came the real waiting. When the comics arrived I'd read them, in order, cover to cover including the letters pages. Total awesomeness.
And while I love my comics now, and love the immediacy of the internet, there's really nothing like that anymore. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with just being older--I'm just not capable of having that much fun anymore. :)
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Comic resolutions I'm not making
I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions in any case. I do, at the end of the year, take some time to think about where my life is, what I might want to improve on, how I might lead a better life. But as for the traditional resolution--the "I will quit smoking" or "I will vacuum the living room every day"? I don't think they work; rather than promoting introspection, they set up an absolute pass-or-fail state of mind where one slip-up means you might as well drop the entire thing for another 363 days. (BTW, I don't smoke and never have, and the living room has a hardwood floor, so those are not real life examples. :))
But if I were inclined to resolve, these are some of the things I might consider resolving, and some of the reasons I actually wouldn't do it.
1. Bag and box my comics instead of leaving them in piles.
As a teenager, I was awesome at the comic sorting. I didn't have bags, but I put each week's comics in their appointed spots, pretty much as soon as I'd read them.
Of course, as a teenager I had (a) way more time on my hands, and (b) no one to share the books with. The husband often doesn't get around to catching up for a month or two (or three) so, instead of putting them in the long boxes, I leave them in the bag they came in after I've read them. So they're not, usually, in falling-over piles, but they are in piles. I don't really see a change in this as long as some people neglect their literature...
Of course that doesn't explain why they stay in their stacks after everyone has had their turn reading. That part remains a mystery.
2. Fix the broken action figures.
It's true, what people say--if you take your toys out of the box, sooner or later someone's arm is going to fall off. We've got a number of heroes in need of repair, and while duct tape may make them somewhat playable again, it doesn't really do the trick.
The problem here has to do with my own skill set, which does not include action figure technology. I've tried to research the subject, but the only information I've been able to find has had to do with making custom figures, which is awesome in its own right, but less applicable than you might think to fixing what you've already got. I also suspect that a repaired figure would be less sturdy than it was before "the accident," which is a consideration.
As it stands, we have a number of figures who are in dire need of medical attention, and I'm actually interested in learning how to do this (hell, I learned how to put new hair in Barbie dolls a few years back, and that's about as tedious as you get!), but I'm not at all confident that I wouldn't just make the situation worse.
3. Get my comics from my LCS instead of online.
Being as we don't have a LCS, I don't have to worry about this one.
We kind of had one a number of years ago, before the kids came along--a guy had a shop in his basement, and it was great if a bit out of the way. As far as I know he didn't do pull lists (not that I had ever heard of that back then) but he did carry most of the Marvel and DC titles and an assortment of indies. I'm guessing I bought more comics on impulse that way, because you do when you actually have them in your hands.
Anyway, he eventually moved to a ever-so-slightly larger town, closer to the university, and took some relatively cheap upstairs shop space. I went there as well, but apparently not a lot of folks did, because he didn't stay in business long after that, and he never reopened his basement store. And that was the end of the LCS in my area, back in the early 90s. If it couldn't happen then, it isn't ever happening.
But if I lived anywhere else, I'd think about it. There are certainly pluses to getting my comics by mail, of course--not having to go out in a blizzard for my fix, for one--but I only get them once a month (you can have them delivered weekly but that's a lot of extra expense, especially considering that I don't get very many comics in the first place), and then there's the delivery time, which is less than a week but not that much less. So, yeah, getting my comics by mail is situational, not preferential. I'm certainly glad that the option exists, of course.
4. Read Blue Beetle at some point.
I've seen bits of it online and it strikes me as a book the kids would like. I'll have to make a point of getting it in trade, assuming it comes out that way.
But if I were inclined to resolve, these are some of the things I might consider resolving, and some of the reasons I actually wouldn't do it.
1. Bag and box my comics instead of leaving them in piles.
As a teenager, I was awesome at the comic sorting. I didn't have bags, but I put each week's comics in their appointed spots, pretty much as soon as I'd read them.
Of course, as a teenager I had (a) way more time on my hands, and (b) no one to share the books with. The husband often doesn't get around to catching up for a month or two (or three) so, instead of putting them in the long boxes, I leave them in the bag they came in after I've read them. So they're not, usually, in falling-over piles, but they are in piles. I don't really see a change in this as long as some people neglect their literature...
Of course that doesn't explain why they stay in their stacks after everyone has had their turn reading. That part remains a mystery.
2. Fix the broken action figures.
It's true, what people say--if you take your toys out of the box, sooner or later someone's arm is going to fall off. We've got a number of heroes in need of repair, and while duct tape may make them somewhat playable again, it doesn't really do the trick.
The problem here has to do with my own skill set, which does not include action figure technology. I've tried to research the subject, but the only information I've been able to find has had to do with making custom figures, which is awesome in its own right, but less applicable than you might think to fixing what you've already got. I also suspect that a repaired figure would be less sturdy than it was before "the accident," which is a consideration.
As it stands, we have a number of figures who are in dire need of medical attention, and I'm actually interested in learning how to do this (hell, I learned how to put new hair in Barbie dolls a few years back, and that's about as tedious as you get!), but I'm not at all confident that I wouldn't just make the situation worse.
3. Get my comics from my LCS instead of online.
Being as we don't have a LCS, I don't have to worry about this one.
We kind of had one a number of years ago, before the kids came along--a guy had a shop in his basement, and it was great if a bit out of the way. As far as I know he didn't do pull lists (not that I had ever heard of that back then) but he did carry most of the Marvel and DC titles and an assortment of indies. I'm guessing I bought more comics on impulse that way, because you do when you actually have them in your hands.
Anyway, he eventually moved to a ever-so-slightly larger town, closer to the university, and took some relatively cheap upstairs shop space. I went there as well, but apparently not a lot of folks did, because he didn't stay in business long after that, and he never reopened his basement store. And that was the end of the LCS in my area, back in the early 90s. If it couldn't happen then, it isn't ever happening.
But if I lived anywhere else, I'd think about it. There are certainly pluses to getting my comics by mail, of course--not having to go out in a blizzard for my fix, for one--but I only get them once a month (you can have them delivered weekly but that's a lot of extra expense, especially considering that I don't get very many comics in the first place), and then there's the delivery time, which is less than a week but not that much less. So, yeah, getting my comics by mail is situational, not preferential. I'm certainly glad that the option exists, of course.
4. Read Blue Beetle at some point.
I've seen bits of it online and it strikes me as a book the kids would like. I'll have to make a point of getting it in trade, assuming it comes out that way.
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